Today marks the beginning of Virginia Cider Week 2014. The 10 day celebration, which runs through November 23, marks the importance of the industry to Virginia’s local culture and economy.

Events during Cider Week will support local cideries and celebrate their growth. The expansion of the cider industry in Virginia has impacted greatly Virginia’s agritourism industry and made Virginia a hotspot for new cideries – including two of Albemarle’s own: Potter’s Craft and Albemarle Cider Works. According to the governor’s website, Virginia is the new home of “at least ten cideries started since 2006” and “the sales of cider nationwide have grown an average of 73% each year over the past five years.”

Cider enthusiasts are looking forward to this year’s celebration which will include events all over the state such as cider tastings, food pairings, brewing classes, and more. Local events will kick off with the Virginia Cider Harvest Tasting in Charlottesville and will end with the Cider Fest in Keswick.